Single P-90 Gibson Les Paul Junior Type Guitars

Single P-90 Gibson Les Paul Junior Type Guitars

Excuse my ignorance, but what's the difference between a junior special and a melody maker?

A classic-style Junior Special (A.K.A. just LP Special) has the same thick mahogany body of a Junior (basically the same as a Standard/Custom without the carved top.) They are basically Juniors with two P90 soap bar pickups and neck binding. They were intended to be lower level Gibsons, but not necessarily "student" guitars. Another point of differentiation, but only on modern versions, is that standard production Specials (i.e. non-Historic Reissues) usually use a T.O.M. and stop tailpiece, while modern Juniors still have a wraparound (an intonated wraparound in years past, but not for a few years now).

A classic Melody Maker has a thin mahogany body and it's own type of single coil pickup, smaller than a P90. The electronics are pickguard mounted. Early MMs had the same body outline as a Les Paul, but then they changed body styles a few times, first to a symmetrical double-cut, then to the SG shape. Two-pickup as well as short scale models were also made. These were intended to be beginner's instruments, not as well made as most Gibsons (but still good by today's standards).
 
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Re: Single P-90 Gibson Les Paul Junior Type Guitars

I just saw that Reverend is doing one of these single P-90 models.

Bill

Yeah I was having some trouble finding one of those actually for sale somewhere.


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Re: Single P-90 Gibson Les Paul Junior Type Guitars

I've got a Gibson Jr DC. Their current production wraparound bridge is crap. I replaced mine with a pigtail intonatable wraparound. Amazing bridge and really changed the tone of the guitar!
 
Re: Single P-90 Gibson Les Paul Junior Type Guitars

I have a Gibson LP guitar that is badged Junior Special. It is, to all intents and purposes, a Special sans fingerboard binding. This model also has a slight beergut contour around the back.
 
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